they got testimony from secretary panetta and the joint chiefs chair dempsey, and they believe that added to what the public knows about benghazi and was the right way to go about this. when brennan comes up to be cia director expect another one of these circumstances but for tonight this is a setback for hagel. it's part of the process. it doesn't derail it but it's a difficult day for chuck hagel. >> kristin welker, are you hearing any reaction from the white house? >> reporter: i can tell you they're working on a statement, martin, right now. they do still continue to stand by their belief that he will ultimately be confirmed. to your point this is a blow to the white house. the president's initial pick for secretary of defense, susan rice, was derailed by the republicans, so this certainly is unwelcome news. >> kristin welker and kelly o'donnell, thank you so much. thank you for watching. chris matthews picks things up right now. >>> the war on chuck hagel. let's play "hardball." ♪ >>> good evening. i'm chris matthews in washington. let me start tonight with this. the breaking news.